Prepping. The word connotes to many the idea that we (preppers) are a bit like Chicken Little (you know… The Sky is Falling, The Sky is Falling). It used to be if you ‘prepped’ for something like the SAT, or a big dinner party, that was a good thing and the action was smiled upon. So how did it happen that we exchanged the “d” for an “r”, and suddenly those who prepare for the unknown are thought by many to be a few Fruit Loops short of a full box? Just something to think about.

In the meantime, I’d like to introduce you to one of our farm mascots and the ULTIMATE prepper…. Henri! Henri was hand raised after falling out of a tree onto an unsuspecting friend (who may or may not have screamed like a girl). Her mother was nowhere to be found, and she had no interest in returning to her nest despite attempts to place her there. I’ve worked with animals all my life, even having had a short career as a zoo keeper, and this is not my first rodeo squirrel raising experience. She was still young enough to need milk replacer, but was becoming of age to move on to more varied foods. She really thrived on a product called Ningxia Red, as well as other food supplements that baby squirrels need.

Today, she is about 7 months old, and is quite the #oilyfarmsquirrel / farm mascot. We have 6 very large dogs, and not only is she friends with them, she has also become part of their pack, and considers herself one of their own. See friends, …. animals have this down…. no matter their differences, ideologies, and predator vs prey status, it is possible to work out a friendship. Seems like since we have bigger brains than both squirrel or dog, our world ought to spin with a little more friendship and handshakes if we bypassed prejudices like we do out here on the farm :).

Henri was raised and released once she was old enough. She has chosen to live alongside us, and we are happy to accommodate her. Her presence has gifted us with additional smiles and quiet peace. She reminds us as only squirrels can:

Look both ways before you cross the path

Plan ahead…. and hide and protect your nuts!

Stay active and alert

Enjoy the sunshine & value sleep

Find your friends wherever you are, but know your enemies

Adapt to whatever life throws your way

Take care of the business and then take time to play

We might have bigger brains and opposable thumbs, but we can still learn a lot from our four legged friends!

Thank you for sharing the adorable Henri with us. He/she really is the best. Also thank you for the follow. I agree with you that we have much to learn from animals, they are so much smarter than people, especially when it comes to making friends and just getting along. I really look forward to visiting your blog often.

Barbara, thank you! I totally agree. I am a much better person for living on a farm as we do. My life with animals keeps me sane and at peace. And yes, my animals never cease to amaze me ….I learn something from them all the time. God bless!

That’s a great close up shot! I raised and released a baby squirrel years ago. Our dogs were very interested and we kept them away from the large cage we made. I’m wondering what strategies helped your dogs accept Henri as a pack member rather than prey or if this just happened naturally.